Dinghy Towing Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Motorhomes are ideal vehicles to use when embarking on an open road adventure, but many RVers don't want to take such a large vehicle out and about on trips every day once they're set up.

Enter dinghy towing.

RV owners swear by dinghy towing as it's the most convenient, cost-effective and safe way of transporting their car. This guide will equip you with the dos and don'ts of dinghy towing so you can enjoy your road trip without the hassle of having to take your RV every time you want to nip from the campsite to the local town.

What Does Dinghy Towing Mean?

Flat towing and dinghy towing are more or less interchangeable terms for the same towing method.

It involves the use of a tow bar or tow dolly to transport a vehicle (usually a car) behind a motorhome or recreational vehicle. It differs from flat bed towing, which is used more for long-distance towing and involves the car being completely off the ground. Instead, dinghy towing ensures that all of the car's four tires are on the road while towing.

This type of towing allows the vehicle to roll behind the RV on its four tires without any major modifications or effort. It is popularly dubbed dinghy towing because the dinghy vehicle (the one that's being pulled) looks like a small boat being pulled by a larger vessel.

Dinghy towing is a much more inexpensive way than flat bed towing to transport a car from A to B and enables you to quickly connect or disconnect your dinghy vehicle.

The three main types of tow bars used in dinghy towing are self-aligning coach-mounted receivers, self-aligning towed vehicle-mounted receivers, and a rigid A-frame tow bar.

Flat towing offers RV owners an array of benefits, such as convenience, improved storage space, better fuel economy, and good tire management compared to other types of towing.

Dinghy Towing Checklist for Cars

With any type of towing, it's vital to be prepared. Follow these top tips to prepare your vehicles for safe and easy towing before setting out on the open road.

Step 1

The first thing to ensure is to double-check that your tow bar baseplate is securely fastened.

A base plate is a metal frame that bolts onto the front end of your car. The next step is to insert pins and safety clips.

Step 2

Another key takeaway is to remember to keep your vehicle's steering wheel unlocked when dinghy towing to prevent the car from dragging sideways when you attempt corners or sharp turns.

Step 3

Don’t forget to attach both the power cord and safety cables between the dinghy vehicle and your motorhome. Fire up your car’s ignition and turn the wheels to the right-hand side.

Step 4

After this, release your parking brake and switch off your battery and any other fuses. RV owners should then connect the dinghy brake and run necessary safety checks. Don’t forget to watch your car's tire pressure and place your dinghy vehicle in neutral, then you are set!

Dinghy Towing Checklist for RVs

Now that your car is set, you also need to prepare your RV for towing.

First, securely store your motorhome’s interior items and lower its antenna. Retract the vehicle’s awnings and put all the furniture and entertainment items away. Detach your freshwater hose; get rid of the holding tank, and pack away the watering hose.

The next step is to retract slides and level jacks. Lastly, pack away your jack pads and wheel chocks and ensure there is no loose wiring sticking out anywhere. Before hitting the road, don’t forget to double-check your tire pressure to ensure a safe and secure journey to your destination.

How to Dinghy Tow a Car: Step-by-step

So, you've prepared both vehicles and you're ready to start! Here's everything you need to know:

Step 1

Make sure your vehicles are suitable for dinghy towing!

The factors to consider when choosing a good towing vehicle are towing weight, the measurement of the wheelbase, curb weight, axle, drive system, car model, and manufacturer.

Step 2

Before embarking on this type of towing, RV owners should make sure they run through their owner's manual and purchase all the equipment needed, such as tow bars, a flat tow kit, baseplates, supplemental braking systems, wiring kits, and trailer suspensions.

To choose a good tow bar to provide a proper connection to your dinghy towing vehicle when it's being pulled by your RV, invest in a quality base plate that has two receivers that will attach to your tow bar arms.

Step 3

Install the hitch to the back of your RV following the manufacturer's instructions. You'll also need to connect the receiver to the vehicle that will be getting dinghy towed. Again, follow the manufacturer's guidelines to make sure everything is set up safely.

Step 4

Park your vehicle behind your motorhome to make sure you can conveniently connect the two. Make sure you've got plenty of space to line the two up straight before making the connection.

Step 5

Now attach a dinghy towing harness to provide both a hitch and electrical connection between the two vehicles.

Before hitting the long road, install an auxiliary braking system and make certain that you've properly connected all loose tabs and safety cables.

Step 6

Keep in mind some safety tips when towing.

The most important safety factor to remember when towing any vehicle is to take it slow; braking and turning take much longer with such a heavy, long vehicle combination. Remember to also drive below the speed limit, appropriately adjust your mirrors for a clear view and make certain that your lights are in working order.

FAQs

What vehicles can I flat tow behind an RV?

Flat-towable vehicles include thoes with a rear-wheel drive and manual transmission. Four-wheel drives can also be flat-towed, provided they have a manual transfer case and can be put in neutral. If in doubt, consult the manufacturer's manual.

SUVs, pickup trucks, and cars are all popular for four-wheels down towing. If your vehicle isn't suitable for flat towing, perhaps consider tow dollies instead.

How much weight does flat towing add?

Typically, the tongue weight of a trailer is 15% of the total of the entire trailer. Make sure that your car weighs less than 4,500 pounds, and you'll be within the parameters.

Final Thoughts

Dinghy towing is not for the faint-hearted; motorists wanting to tow their vehicles need to complete the proper safety checks before hitting the road. Get up early and take a walk around the trailer and vehicle to determine that everything is in place and connected before you head off.

Don't forget to always carry a spare tire because you don't want to be left in a sticky situation on the side of the road. But with that said, happy towing! You can't go wrong by following our guide above.

Sources:

https://www.rv.com/rv/towing/

https://images.goodsam.com/newmotorhome/towguides/2018DinghyGuide.pdf

https://togorv.com/rv-living/the-ultimate-rv-towing-guide/

https://www.roadmasterinc.com/products/media/dinghy.guides.php

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